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SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                                                  SESSION 2020-21
                                                       CLASS-IX

                              ECONOMICS- CHAPTER-4 FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA

                                                   LESSON NOTES
                                                     SUB TOPIC-4
                                         What is PDS, Current status of PDS

                     FCI distributes the food procured from the farmer through government-
                       regulated ration shops. It is called the Public Distribution System (PDS).
                     Ration shops also, known as Fair Price Shops, keep stock of foodgrains,
                       sugar, and kerosene for cooking.
                     Rationing in India was introduced during the 1940s against the backdrop of
                       the Bengal famine.

                   In the mid-1970s, three important food intervention programmes were introduced:

                   1.  Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains
                   2.  Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) a
                   3.  Food-for-Work (FFW).

                     At present, there are several Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAPs), mostly
                       in rural areas, which have an explicit food component also.
                     Employment programmes greatly contribute to food security by increasing the
                       income of the poor.

               Current Status of Public the Distribution System

                     Public Distribution System (PDS) is the most important step taken by the
                       Government of India towards ensuring food security.
                     In 1992, Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was introduced in the
                       country.
                     From June 1997, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced
                       to adopt the principle of targeting the ‘poor in all areas’.
                     In 2000, two special schemes were launched Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
                       and Annapurna Scheme (APS).
                     Over the year, the PDS proved to be the most effective instrument of
                       government policy in stabilising prices and making food available to
                       consumers at affordable prices.
                     However, the Public Distribution System has faced severe criticism on several
                       grounds.
                     High level of buffer stocks of foodgrains is very undesirable and wasteful.
                     The intensive utilisation of water in the cultivation of rice has also led to
                       environmental degradation and fall in the water level, threatening the
                       sustainability of the agricultural development in these states.
                     PDS dealers started malpractice like diverting the grains to open market to get
                       better margin, selling poor quality grains at ration shops, irregular opening of
                       the shops, etc.
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